Tuesday, September 20, 2005

The Contact Group decides on talks

Express reports on the front page that Contact Group representatives are expected to support today the start of talks on Kosovo’s status in autumn. The paper notes that Ambassador Kai Eide will present the framework of his report before the Political Directors of the Foreign Ministries of the Contact Group. The CG diplomats will also listen to a briefing by UNMIK chief Søren Jessen-Petersen.

Citing unnamed sources, Express says that both Eide and Jessen-Petersen are expected to recommend to CG representatives the start of talks on Kosovo’s status and argue that any delay could pose danger to peace.

‘No one expects representatives of the Contact Group to say that everything went as planned, but they will support the start of talks this autumn,’ an unnamed Western diplomat in Pristina told the newspaper.

Zëri reports that the meeting of the Contact Group will be chaired by Michael Scheffer, political director in the German Foreign Ministry. Sources close to the meeting told Zëri that Under-Secretary of State Nicholas Burns is expected to represent the US in the meeting.